Outlaw keys Hokies’ pivotal 2nd-half run

Ty Outlaw hit three 3pointers in a 22-9 secondhalf run and No. 10 Virginia Tech beat Notre Dame 8166 on Tuesday in Blacksburg, Va.

Kerry Blackshear Jr. led the way with 21 points, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Ahmed Hill scored 17 apiece and Outlaw finished with 14 for the Hokies (12-1, 1-0 ACC). Virginia Tech led just 49-44 before Alexander-Walker sparked the run with a pair of driving baskets.

T.J. Gibbs scored 19 points, 13 in the second half, as the Fighting Irish (10-4, 0-1) had their four-game winning streak snapped. D.J. Harvey added 16 and Nate Laszewski had 14.

Outlaw’s first 3-pointer gave Virginia Tech a 60-47 lead, and his third made it 71-53. The Fighting Irish closed to within 71-60 with just under four minutes to play, but after a timeout by the Hokies, Outlaw hit again from behind the arc to settle them down.

Virginia Tech seemed in control for much of the first half, but after a 15-2 run gave the Hokies a 28-15 lead, Notre Dame scored 13 of the last 15 points to be within 30-28 at the break.

Seminoles avoid upset:

Terance Mann scored 22 points and Phil Cofer added 14, helping No. 9 Florida State hold off visiting Winthrop 87-76 for its seventh straight victory.

The Seminoles have opened with a 12-1 record for the fourth time in school history, matching their best start.

Mann shot 10 of 11 from the floor, scoring 14 secondhalf points and grabbing seven rebounds. Cofer made four of his five shots in the first half but missed all the in the second.

Florida State was up 5638 but Winthrop charged back to trail 63-61 with 11:50 left.

The Seminoles, however, stayed in control.

Adam Pickett scored 19 points and Charles Falden added 15 for Winthrop (8-5), whose four-game winning streak ended.

Winthrop played without its leading scorer Nych Smith (16 ppg) due to an undisclosed injury.